Contact: Kawana McGough, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
The Tuskegee University Department of Social Work will host its third annual virtual conference in support of National Child Prevention Month. The conference, "Be a Child's Hero: Strengthening Practitioners Use of the Arts to Heal Trauma of Abused and Neglected Children," held April 27-28, will focus on learning about injury from trauma and how to help a person heal using the arts for trauma-informed care techniques in practice.
Dr. April Jones, Department Social Work Chair and host of the conference is honored to host this timely conference to raise awareness about the warning signs of child abuse and the trauma accompanying the forms of abuse.
To raise awareness and foster discussions on child protection, the virtual conference will feature engaging presentations and interactive workshops led by esteemed speakers who are leaders in the field of child welfare.
"It is important to take a new approach to treatment to address the unique need of the injured person," said Dr. Jones.
The conference brings the experience of a survivor and artist, Keith Mascoll, and his wife, Roxanne Mascoll, licensed clinical social worker, who will share an opening show and keynote the Empty Frame taking the audience through a story and an interactive discussion about healing from the injury of trauma for the person and their family members. Empty Frames will be about Black mental health, black men abuse, and museums.
"Children's brains respond differently to trauma, and learning artistic techniques to engage children in the healing process is a great asset to your practitioner toolbox," said Dr. Jones.
The conference will cover a wide range of topics related to child prevention, including how the arts can be used in practice with abused and neglected children. Attendees will be able to learn hands-on techniques that may assist with client engagement and the road to recovery.
The pre-conference begins on April 27, with licensed clinical worker Terricka Hardy, who will address how to train professionals and community members about trauma-informed care and explore thought-provoking discussion by walking through a client's shoes to better understand the warning signs and clues of a client affected by trauma.
The full-day virtual conference on April 28 will consist of various practice techniques that use the arts and culturally attuned options to address the unique needs of the digital generational cohort, particularly minorities. For more information and to register for the virtual conference, please visit https://tuskegee.elevate.commpartners.com/April-2023-Conference_Home.
The Department of Social Work encourages the public to join the National Digital Advocacy Day on April 19 at https://preventchildabuse.org/what-we-do/public-policy/ or post a picture of yourself on social media wearing blue in support of child abuse prevention. In addition, you may also show support by joining the Prevent Child Abuse American national virtual pinwheel garden at https://pinwheels.preventchildabuse.org/
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